The 2011 Boat Parade, sponsored by the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

The parade is open to boats of all sizes that meet the minimum Coast Guard Safety Requirements.

Locals and tourists alike look forward to this annual event, and it is hoped that many boat owners will participate. Prizes will be awarded in several categories.

If you would like to participate or for more information, please contact Bill Tigrett at 361-983-2671 or Joyce Jordan at 361-655-7999.

Rain or shine, calm or windy, nothing so far has stopped the Freeport to Port O’Connor Toy Run in its mission to bring boat loads of toys for Port O’Connor’s Adopt-An-Angel Program.
This will be the ninth year for the Toy Run and so far there are 32 boats signed up to participate.

Participants leave from Surfside Beach at 9:00 a.m. and generally arrive about 3:00 p.m. at Clark’s Marina. There they are greeted by the Adopt-An-Angel Committee, who with assistance from members of the Port O’Connor Service Club and other volunteers, load the toys into trailers to be stored until they are delivered to Adopt-An-Angel children and other childrens services in our area.

After unloading their boats, many of the Toy Run boaters, join in the Lighted Boat Parade that evening.

If you are interested in donating to or participating in Toy Run, contact Jerry Karnes at 281-558-4696.

Most people in Port O’Connor know that with time change, darkness comes about 6:15 p.m., but that got past me! Most people know that the bay water is cold this time of the year, but that also got past me! Therefore, we had an “enjoyable time” doing what we sincerely love to do – we baptized Jan Nutt in water this past Sunday after the evening service! Yes, it was dark and the water was cold, but we felt both “sunny and warm” about following our Lord’s example.

We are working toward making Thanksgiving special in Port O’Connor again this year. The Community Thanksgiving Service will be hosted by the Catholic Church on Sunday, November 20, at 6:00 p.m. The ladies of the Catholic Church will be providing a time of fellowship following the service; the Baptists will be providing special music; and I will be preaching. We will also be receiving a special offering to help buy the items that go in our Community Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. We believe the need will be as great as, or maybe even greater this season, so we hope everyone will help make this offering extra special. Also, we would encourage everyone to bring a bag of canned goods to the service. This will help make the baskets extra special!

Fisherman’s Bible Institute (FBI) is going strong. Those who desire to know more about God’s Word are gathering at the parsonage each Tuesday (7-9 p.m.), bringing their completed workbook, and are ready to hear Joane teach. There is a break for refreshments and a lot of friendships being developed while learning more from the Bible. Everyone interested can be added to the class by calling Joane at 983-2619.

Friday Night Youth are meeting on Friday evenings, but will not be meeting on November 25 due to the Thanksgiving holidays. Each youth has been asked to bring a can of food for the needy families these next two Friday nights (11th and 18th). Everyone should be involved in some way helping needy families at this time of the year.

Those families who are truly needy of help during this holiday must place their name in consideration by Wednesday, November 16 and will be receiving their baskets on Tuesday, November 22. Remember, we are wanting to help “need” and not assist “greed”! If you are not needy yourself, but are blessed, you are welcome to call the Chapel (983-4240) and place a needy family’s name on the list for consideration. I have found that in this area, the most needy among us are the last ones to ask for help. Let’s make sure no family in Port O’Connor does without food during this special season!

We have been blessed at the Chapel and are planning extra activities for the Christmas season. We have our annual Christmas Party planned for December 18, and Caroling for December 21. On Sunday, Christmas Day, we will be planning a special service that will begin at 10:30 a.m. Those who know Jesus personally always know what kind of party to throw in His honor, so come and be a part of our celebrations.

The Chapel is an interdenominational congregation who works hard to help members of this community know the reality of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel and are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

Gladys is about 3 years old, every bit as feisty and full of fun as the very special lady she was named for who was a friend to so many in this community. Though not as gregarious as she was (our Gladys would like to be the sole recipient of your attention), this spunky gray and white feline is smart and loving, plays like a kitten, pouncing on things real and imagined, and will always make you feel special.

Do blondes really have more fun? Casey would give that a definite “paws up” YES! She is a year old Shi Tzu mix that elicits a lot of “oohs” and “SO cute!” comments. Everyone and every dog is an instant friend so be prepared for lots of loving attention from Casey. Not quite 2 years old, she’s a fluffy bundle of happiness.

Come see Casey, Gladys, and all the other animals at the Port Lavaca Animal Shelter, 201 Stringham Drive (across from the rodeo arena), Monday through Saturday, 10 to 2, or call the Calhoun County Humane Society, 553-8916.

You can also view her and other animals ready for adoption on line at www.calhouncountyhumanesociety.org

Thanks and we’ll be waiting for you!

This past Sunday was truly a “Great Day in the Morning” at First Baptist Church! We met our attendance goals and we had a Spirit-filled Lord’s Day. This annual Church event is almost like a done day revival. It was beautiful Sunday, not a cloud in the sky, and you just knew that great things were going to happen. The Bible Study and Sunday School was super and the church van was filled with children on arrival at the Church.

The morning service began with the Choir singing the beautiful, fast-moving song “Sound the Battle Cry”. You just knew that we were off to a great service! After the Choir’s call to worship, Raymond Grant led the congregation in singing “When We All Get to Heaven”. The beautiful voices flowing from all the people, you thought everyone was already in Heaven! After singing about Heaven, it was time for everyone to share a good old-fashioned hand shake or hug with their neighbors in the pews.

This was followed by another Choir special, as they sang “I’ve Read the Back of the Book”. When the Choir ended the song with the words, “I’ve read the back of the Book and we win”, the congregation loudly applauded. Brother Raymond Grant then led the congregation in singing “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”, followed by Raymond’s children’s sermon. Raymond was surrounded by all the children as he spoke to them and they held hands as they prayed.

Before Brother George Yarbrough preached his electrifying sermon, the Choir sang “Give the World a Smile”. It was a great service on this “Great Day” and after the Benediction was given, everyone went to Fellowship Hall for a great feast.

The Church Fellowship Committee decorated the Hall with Fall colors, pumpkins, flowers and it was very professionally done! The food table was set with fried chicken, potatoes, corn, beans, and other vegetables. At least 8 different salads were available and the dessert tables were filled with puddings, cakes, cookies, pies, and strawberries with cream. It was fantastic!

This Sunday, November 13, at the 11:00 a.m. service, the Church Pastor Search Committee will recommend Rev. Donnie Marin to be Pastor of the Church and he will be preaching “in view of a call” by vote of the Church membership. Rev. Donnie Martin is currently Pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in Leland, Mississippi. If the Church elects him this Sunday, he will become Pastor of the Church.

Sunday evening, November 20, at 6:00 p.m. is the “Annual Port O’Connor Joint Thanksgiving Service” and this year it is at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Don’t miss this Great Service! An offering will be taken for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for Port O’Connor needy.

See you in church Sunday!